What is Virtual autism Virtual autism refers to developmental delays and behaviors that look like autism but may actually be linked to excessive screen exposure in early childhood. It describes symptoms in children such as social withdrawal, communication issues, physical inactivity, attention problems, and developmental delays, due to excessive digital device use. Virtual autism symptoms Common virtual autism symptoms can include: Delayed speech or limited vocabulary Sleep problems Avoiding eye contact Short attention span Lack of interest in playing with others Withdrawing or violent behaviour Having trouble following instructions Appearing uninterested in their environment Screen time in children Screen time is the total time spent per day in viewing screens such as mobile phone, TV, computer, tablet, or any hand-held or visual device. The world Health Organization (WHO) recommends that children up to one-year should not spend any time on digital screens, including watching videos or playing games. For children aged 2-4 years, sedentary screen time should be no more than one hour in a day, and even less is better. Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) recommends the following Children below the age of 2 years should not be exposed to any type of screen with the exception of occasional video call with relatives. Screen time for children between the age of 2 and 5 years should not exceed hour; the lesser, the better. For older children and adolescents, it is important to balance screen time with other activities that are required for overall development. These activities include an hour of physical activity (play time), adequate duration of sleep (recommended sleep time varies with age, for example, adolescents require 8–9 hours of uninterrupted sleep at night), and time for schoolwork, meals, hobbies, and family time. If any of these activities is displaced due to screen use, then it is called excessive screen time and it should be reduced. Preventive Measures Preventing “virtual autism” requires a holistic approach involving parents, educators, and policymakers. Key steps include setting screen time limits, selecting age‑appropriate content, promoting physical activity, nurturing in‑person relationships, and teaching digital literacy. The following are a few preventive measures. Screen Time Limits: Establish age‑appropriate screen time standards, ensuring a balanced mix of digital and non‑digital activities for children. Educational Content: Promote educational materials fostering cognitive growth and critical thinking. Avoid screen time before bed. Setting screens aside for two hours before bedtime makes it easier to fall asleep and wake up on time. Digital Literacy: Teach technology and internet safety for informed decision‑making. Parental Supervision: Actively engage in monitoring and discussing internet activities with children. Have at least one device-free family meal per day. Such conversations can help develop your child's social-emotional health and alleviate stress for the whole family. Pursue hobbies and build skills. There are lots of exciting activities online that can keep children active offline. Both parents and children need to find ways to remain active when work, learning, socializing, and play are confined to the screen. Physical Activity: Encourage exercise and outdoor play to counteract sedentary screen time. Professional Guidance: Seek help from experts when signs of virtual autism appear. Act as a role model for the children to follow. Parents should set rules at home for everyone, not just for children, regarding excessive use of electronics. Sources Garg RK, Garg P, Sharma P, Kumar Y, Niwas R, Singh J, et al. Virtual autism among children: A leading hazard of gadget exposure and preventive measures. J Edu Health Promot 2024;13:76 Screen Time Guidelines for Parents : Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) WHO Guidelines on physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep for children under 5 years of age